Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, discussed over phone with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, boosting bilateral relations on Wednesday. The two ministers addressed also issues of mutual interest.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez, the two ministers agreed to hold the Egyptian-Armenian joint committee soon to increase cooperation on the economic level.

Shoukry stressed the importance of finalising the current negotiations to establish the free trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union.

On the other hand, Shoukry also phoned his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney to discuss means of boosting bilateral relation.

Shoukry and Coveney addressed several regional and international issues, including the peace process between Palestine and Israel.

The two ministers stressed the importance of pushing the peace process in order to establish the independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital, according to Hafez.

In February, Shoukry visited the Irish capital Dublin during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of opening the Egyptian embassy in Ireland. He praised the strength of Egypt-Ireland ties.

“Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, and plays a pivotal role in a region where Ireland has a deep interest. I am committed to broadening and deepening Ireland’s relationship with Egypt, in the interests of the citizens of both countries. I look forward to Ireland engaging further with Egypt across the full spectrum of issues, including trade, regional security and consular affairs,” said Coveney during the celebration.